August 16, 2010 
Beside skin, the eye is an organ largely exposed to the sun and suffers the consequences of ultraviolet radiation. An ophthalmologist mr.sc.dr. Dean Šarić brings seven tips for healthy eyes during
summer…
Eye suffers the consequences of ultraviolet radiation, which are manifested as mild, such as irritation, inflammation of joints and cornea, or severe, such as development of cataracts and damage to the yellow spot.
It is believed that ultraviolet rays are one of the main causes of degeneration of the yellow spot, which is crucial for visual acuity. Swimming in the pool or sea and being in air-conditioned places are considered to be an additional risk during summer period,. Specifically, the standard of living that includes chilled spaces that are comfortable to your body, on the other side causes aggravating circumstance on which the eye ‘suffers’ due to the extremely dry air.
Sea and pools are just as aggressive to the eyes, especially for contact lens wearers in terms of developing infections. There is a whole series of possible inflammatory process, starting from simple irritation through mild infections to serious ones that can end in damage and even loss of vision.
Seven important tips for your eyes:
1. Choose sunglasses with appropriate form to avoid UV rays getting near your eyes on the side and bottom (reflection from water surfaces, etc.)
2. Pay special attention to the quality of glass in your sunglasses and buy only those with a valid declaration – ask your ophthalmologist and optician for advice
3. Use the contact lenses with high UV protection factor, which is an excellent substitute for sunglasses especially during summer activities like swimming, sailing, tennis, cycling
4. Avoid going to the pool with contact lenses, and if you do use only one-day lenses
5. Keep along the quality drops as a substitute for eye tears in dry air-conditioned, and in the wind and dust
6.Do not look at the sun and do not forget that water reflects rays harmful to your eyes
7. If you notice redness, secretion, sensitivity to light that is not going away but rather getting worse – see your doctor.
Taken from: www.zdravakrava.hr Author: mr.sc.dr. Dean Šarić